Reflections

Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Close of the Commandments

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 16:1-24; Luke 10:1-22

God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. (Small Catechism: Close of the Commandments)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Nothing starts the heart pumping harder than to see those flashing lights in the rearview mirror. The law is coming for us. We might not have done anything wrong, but just the mere sight of lights behind us that starts the mind racing. What could we have possibly done wrong to warrant this?

God's Law convicts us. The Law reveals to us that we are unholy people before a holy, holy, holy God. The Law condemns us. On account of our sinfulness, we deserve nothing but punishment and eternal condemnation. However, God does not leave us to eternal death. He put in place a plan for our redemption. The First Commandment reminds us that we should have no other gods. The Close of the Commandments reminds us that there is a loving God who has given to us a Holy Law. His Holy Law reflects who He is as a Holy God.

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Our sinfulness reveals that we are in need. We are in need of a Savior. In Christ, the Holy Law of God is fulfilled on our behalf. It is Christ who has taken the punishment for our sins. We deserve the punishment that Christ received. In simple terms we say, "He got what we deserved." Christ kept the commandments perfectly. He kept them not to demonstrate how we should live our lives, but to fulfill God's Holy Law that we are completely incapable of keeping. Christ's obedience is for me! Christ's obedience is for you! In His perfect obedience is our redemption. As God looks down on you, He sees Christ's perfection covering you. He sees the work of Christ in that robe of righteousness that has been placed over you in your Baptism. No longer are you under the threat of the Law, but rather, you are covered in the blood of the Lamb. His life and death are for you!

On account of Christ, you do not need to live in the fear of God's punishment, because the punishment for your sins was taken to the Cross. You live now in the promises of your Baptism that connects you to the work of Christ. Your faith holds fast to the work of Christ. In Christ the Law is fulfilled for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

To Jesus we for refuge flee, Who from the curse has set us free, And humbly worship at His throne,

Saved by His grace through faith alone. ("The Law of God Is Good and Wise" LSB 579, st.6)

-Rev. Timothy Davis is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: 1 Peter 2:11-20

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 10:1-20; Luke 9:37-60

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. (1 Peter 2:11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Three hiking trails traverse the United States from south to north: The Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. All three trails allow the hiker to go from some of the most southern areas of our country to the most northern areas. Each trail delivers breathtaking views in three different regions of our country from east to west. As one travels these trails, he becomes a sojourner, someone who is merely passing through. Experienced hikers may claim that they "live" on the trail, but generally speaking their home is somewhere not intrinsically connected to the trail. 

In this world, as God's children, we are sojourners. We are travelers. The world around us is not our true home. It is our home insofar as we have a bed on which to lay our head, we have tables that we eat around, we have families, and we have a structure that provides shelter from the elements but it is not our permanent home. It is temporary. As Peter writes to his audience, he reminds them that they are merely travelers in a foreign land. In this foreign land there are deceit and temptation that have come about because of man's fall into sin. The world wants to draw us away from our walk in our Baptisms and move us into a walk with itself. The Old Adam in us draws us to the desires of the flesh and encourages us to engage in behaviors contrary to the will of God. In the end, the world does not care about your wellbeing or your spiritual health. It merely wants you to indulge and gratify those sinful desires.

In God's Holy Word we are drawn back to our Baptisms. We are reminded that we carry a mark that is not of this world but of God. Our focus is not on this world but on the world to come. The world around us is temporary and we are merely sojourners in this world. Our lives have been pointed beyond this world to the world that is to come. In the restored world, the new Jerusalem, we will not be sojourners but dwellers. We will have the classification of permanent citizens. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Jesus Christ, do not delay, But hasten our salvation; We often tremble on our way In fear and tribulation O hear and grant our fervent plea: Come, mighty judge, and set us free From death and ev'ry evil. ("The Day Is Surely Drawing Near" LSB 508, st.7)

-Rev. Timothy Davis is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Isaiah 40:25-31

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 9:1-24; Luke 9:18-36

He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. (Isaiah 40:28b)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Captivity is exhausting. God's people were tired. The consequences of following the false gods and bending the knee to the deities around them drove them into captivity. They were no longer free. The people of God were slaves and foreigners in the land that they had been driven to in the deportation. They were tired and weary.

In sin we are held captive in the shackles of this world. Sin holds us in despair. As we compare ourselves to the Law we are left in complete contempt of our failure. We have shackled ourselves to the Law.

Our God sees our exhaustion. He sees our captivity, and through His Son, Jesus Christ, delivers freedom to us. In Christ, the Law was fulfilled on our behalf. We are set free from the condemnation of sin. As the Law beats us down and says to us, "You are not worthy," Christ says, "You are baptized and connected to my fulfillment of the Law." Christ is the one who goes to the Cross and pays the price for your sins. He did not turn His back on you and grow tired. He instead reaches out to you with His Holy Word. He speaks His Holy words of Absolution into your ears. He declares you forgiven. He takes His holy water in Baptism and covers you in His righteousness. He shows His love for you in that while you were still a sinner, He died for you. 

We will never be able to comprehend His love for us. All we have is faith that holds fast to His promises and knowledge that in Christ Jesus all is fulfilled. No sin too great for forgiveness. No chasm too great for His reconciliation. His love is far greater than any human mind could understand. The world in which we live delivers bondage, captivity, and shackles. Our God, the Triune God, delivers freedom through Jesus Christ. He is the one God, and He does not grow weary with us. He frees us and sets us apart to live in this world as His people. He is the God who freed His people through His Son Jesus Christ by Christ's death on the Cross and resurrection. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord Jesus, think on me And purge away my sin; From worldly passions set me free And make me pure within. ("Lord Jesus, Think on Me" LSB 610, st.1)

-Rev. Timothy Davis is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: John 16:16-22

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 8:1-13, 30-36; Luke 9:1-17 

"Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice." (John 16:20a) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The season of Easter is a time of celebration. We look back at the resurrection of Christ while looking forward to His glorious return and our resurrection. All around us in our worship life we see and hear the song of the saints going forth boldly. The white on the altar, the lingering smell of the lilies, the joyful banners that adorn our sanctuaries all remind us of what has taken place and what will take place.

Our struggle is the now. Right now, in this world and in this life, we wrestle with all that the world throws at us. We are reminded daily of the consequences of sin in our lives. Fathers still provoke their children to anger. Children still disobey their parents. Pornography and sexual immorality still abound and tempt us. Bullies still bully. Addiction still controls our lives or the lives of others we know. Siblings still manipulate each other. Death still kills us.

After the death of Christ, His disciples and followers were "holed up" in a room with the doors locked. They were lamenting His death. Their hope of being freed from Roman tyranny did not come to fruition. The world around the disciples rejoiced in the death of Christ. It seemed as if God's plan had been thwarted. While we weep and lament in the chaos of sin, the world rejoices in that chaos as God is removed from our lives. The world thrives on chaos.

In the middle of the chaos is order. God prevails now. You are baptized and in that Baptism you are connected to the death of Christ. The connection of your Baptism does not end at the crucifixion. You are also connected to His resurrection. As Christ walked from the tomb, so also will you walk from your grave. You struggle through this life, rejoicing in the knowledge that death does not prevail. Your faith holds fast to the promise that Christ has died and Christ has conquered death. In Christ, you rejoice in His resurrection as that is also your resurrection. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Almighty God, You show those in error the light of Your truth so that they may return to the way of righteousness. Grant faithfulness to all who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Church that they may avoid whatever is contrary to their confession and follow all such things as are pleasing to You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter)

-Rev. Timothy Davis is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Introit for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

          (Psalm 66:3, 5, 8-9; antiphon: v.1-2)

Daily Lectionary:  Exodus 40:17-38; Luke 8:40-56 

Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you." (From the Introit for the Fourth Sunday of Easter)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. This psalm places into our mouth and on our lips the appropriate praise for our heavenly Father. He is the Creator of heaven and earth. Even His enemies are summoned to acknowledge His power, although they "come cringing" before the Lord of glory (Psalm 66:3b). 

We can think of a myriad of stories where God's people were rescued from their enemies. In many ways it seems like something that we rarely get to experience ourselves. But we do not merely sit back and read about God's mighty deeds. Instead, we live in them, because He carries out His continued work for us today. Each day He reveals His mighty arm which was stretched out on the Cross to take away our sins. God's great power was hidden and, at the same time revealed, at the Cross. 

Every time your pastor proclaims Absolution to you, God is working His mighty deed for you. On that first Easter, God's power over our enemy of death was proclaimed for the entire world. Jesus would walk out of the empty tomb, risen from the dead. In the wonderful waters of Holy Baptism God the Holy Spirit has marked you with the sign of the Cross on your forehead and heart to signify that you have died and risen with Christ. Death is destroyed, Hell is overcome and our enemies have been defeated. 

Jesus is the One who prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies of sin and death. As you partake of His Body and Blood you are receiving the mighty deeds of God for your forgiveness and the strengthening of faith. "Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man." In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Merciful and everlasting God, You did not spare Your only Son but delivered Him up for us all to bear our sins on the cross. Grant that our hearts may be so fixed with steadfast faith in Him that we fear not the power of sin, death, and the devil; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for Wednesday of Holy Week)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 39:32-40:16; Luke 8:22-39 

And they went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. (Luke 8:24) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In our daily lectionary today we hear about one of the more famous accounts of Jesus and His disciples. They are crossing the Sea of Galilee and a storm rises up. While the disciples fear they are going to drown, Jesus is asleep.

Most of us have never been caught in a storm that threatened our lives, but we are familiar with feelings of desperation, especially in the midst of circumstances that we cannot control. Like the disciples, sometimes we feel like God is not aware of what is going on in our lives–that He is asleep at the wheel and or has forgotten about us. However, this passage is not simply about Jesus calming the "storms of life." We should be careful not to simplify what Jesus does here in the boat. 

The storm that the disciples faced was real. In that very real story Jesus has all "authority in heaven and on earth," even over the wind and waves. Jesus was present at the foundation of all creation and despite His sleeping during this storm, He still has authority over the wind and waves while in the boat. By His simply speaking to the wind and waves, everything was placed back into order. 

If Jesus has this ability to calm the wind and waves, He certainly has the ability to speak His Word over the waters of your Baptism where He declared from heaven to earth, "This is my beloved child." In Holy Baptism Jesus speaks over the waters of life and death. You were crucified and buried with Him in Baptism so that you, too, might rise and walk in the newness of life. By your Baptism into Christ you are safe and secure in the Ark of the Christian Church until Christ returns to bring you home to the quiet waters of paradise. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

O Lord, since You never fail to help and govern those whom You nurture in Your steadfast fear and love, work in us a perpetual fear and love of Your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Second Sunday after Trinity)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 38:21-39:8; Luke 8:1-21 

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The beginning of our reading today isn't quite clear as to what we have been called to. We need to go back to verse 20 to grasp what this is: "For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God" (1 Peter 2:20). 

Great, this sounds like a calling that is really motivating. We are called to "suffer"? To be honest, most of us are willing to suffer for Christ, but it has to be something big and inspiring. The nitty-gritty, day-to-day stuff that we face in our lives isn't worth it. Give us the big stuff, where it is crystal clear that we are truly suffering on account of Jesus. The crosses that God appoints for us are not inspiring or majestic, they are just painful and seem so ordinary. 

The truth is that the glorious suffering of the heroes of the faith was not all that glorious for them. The luster of glory that descends on them comes from time and space between us and them. For them, it was the pain of the moment, and the ache that was happening right then. There was nothing of glory or fame or pleasure about it while they endured it. 

Likewise, the Cross of Christ was not all majestic and glorious for Him to endure. It was pain and nails and sweat and humiliation and burning agony inside and out. Then it was death. That is what the price was for your salvation. "By His stripes you are healed!" Your sins have been forgiven for Christ's sake. Now He has been made Shepherd of your soul. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Why should cross and trial grieve me? Christ is near With His cheer; Never will He leave me. Who can rob me of the heaven That God's Son For me won When His life was given? ("Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me" LSB 756, st.1)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Tenth Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 34:29-35:21; Luke 7:36-50 

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not entice or force away our neighbor's wife, workers, or animals, or turn them against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty. (Small Catechism: Tenth Commandment) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. While the Ninth Commandment deals with coveting "stuff" that belongs to our neighbor, the Tenth Commandment is really about coveting other people. That may sound rather odd. But think for a moment about the people who are all around you. Think about your parents or your teachers or your spouse. You might say in your heart, "I wish I had different parents," "I wish I had different teachers," or, "I wish I had a different husband or wife or boyfriend/girlfriend." 

It always seems that other people have individuals in their lives who are cooler than the ones that God has placed into your life. This has caused us to do so many different things in order to separate others from the relationships that God has established. The Ninth and Tenth Commandments remind us that we are never fully satisfied with what God will give to us. We have truly squandered all that we have, including everyone around us. 

Yet Jesus still seeks you out in the midst of your covetousness. Our Lord is always seeking you out, no matter how disappointed you are in Him. As you walk by the baptismal font at your church, be reminded that in that wonderful gift of Baptism Jesus has called you by name. You are His because He has set you free from the sins and temptations of your heart. Now you walk in the newness of life and by faith you can come to realize the true value of everyone Jesus has placed into your life, all because Jesus gave Himself up for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

What is the world to me! My Jesus is my treasure, My life, my health, my wealth, My friend, my love, my pleasure, My joy, my crown, my all, My bliss eternally. Once more then I declare: What is the world to me! ("What Is the World to Me" LSB 730, st.4)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 34:1-28; Luke 7:18-35 

"I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice." (Ezekiel 34:15-16) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In Ezekiel 34 we find God's people in a time of defeat. They are a nation in exile. But what made this worse was Israel's leaders, the shepherds, who failed in their callings. Unfaithful, they cared more about themselves than about the flock God charged them to serve and lead. So, how did God respond? He said that He would get rid of them. He would become their Shepherd, replacing those unfaithful and wicked leaders.

But here's where it gets weird. When God said that He wanted shepherds for His people, just by saying that, He was describing the people of Israel as sheep. That's not a flattering description. Have you seen how stupid sheep can be? Sheep rescued from a fire have even been known to run back into the flames from which they were just rescued. So, what point was God making by referring to His people as sheep? It was this: Just as sheep can be stupid, so can we. That's not to insult you; it's sin that makes us stupid. 

So, if sin makes us stupid like sheep, and we get lost like sheep, then it makes sense why God was so angry at those shepherds who didn't care for His flock. They failed by not feeding the sheep. Earlier in Ezekiel 34, God said, "My shepherds fed themselves but did not feed my sheep" (Ezekiel 34:8). They had failed to feed the sheep. 

God would become the Shepherd of His people. Jesus came, fulfilling all the shepherding roles that God had given to His old-covenant priests and prophets. He is the Good Shepherd, fulfilling the old covenant, all while ushering in the new. And so, this shepherding and feeding of God's flock takes place in Christ's Church, today through your pastor. That's how the sheep, the flock, hear the voice of their Shepherd today. As you gather together with fellow sheep, Jesus cleanses you of all the sins you have fallen into. As He cleans you He promises you, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish" (John 10:27-28). In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Almighty God, grant to Your church Your Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes from down from above, that Your Word may not be bound but have free course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ's holy people, that in steadfast faith we may serve You and in the confession of Your name, abide unto the end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Church)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: John 14:1-14

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 33:1-23; Luke 7:1-17 

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." (John 14:12-14) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We always have a tendency to want the full road map of the future. We all crave certainty and understanding. Jesus says we crave that too much. He reminds us that He is sufficient. He is the Way, after all. "I'm not showing you the way, I am the way," Jesus says. "Believe in the Father and believe also in me, and this ought to be enough that your hearts will not be troubled."

But questions continue, and that is why we celebrate the Lord's work though Philip and James. They were not ones who are seen as great and mighty heroes of the Christian faith. Like Thomas, Philip questioned the path and the destination. Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father'?" 

It's never quite enough for us, is it? Even when Jesus comforts us and shows undying sacrificial love for us, we still want something a little more. The early 2020s have reminded us that we can't anticipate more and that no one has a clear picture of the future. No one can tell us what the world will look like 72 hours from now let alone six months or six years from now. The urge to know what lies ahead of us is understandable. We all want to plan, prepare and be ready. Yet Christ assures us of our greater home, the heavenly place prepared for us already. We will not be able to understand or anticipate every single twist and turn here on earth, and yet His assurance remains: "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." And this is enough. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender love towards sinners You have given us Your Son, that believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant to us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and finally come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Steadfast Faith)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.